For 28 years, the Distinguished Christian Statesman Award has spotlighted public servants who actively incorporate faith into their service to the American people
WASHINGTON -- Prominent U.S. Senator Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is joining the ranks of standout elected officials to receive the Distinguished Christian Statesman Award. While accepting the honor at the Museum of the Bible, Sen. Hawley pointed to faith as a unifying force in a nation that's more divided than ever.
"Faith is what holds this country together," Sen. Hawley said. "The Left's attempt to eradicate religion divides America. That's what's divisive. Faith actually is a great unifier in our national life."
Sen. Hawley previously served as Missouri's Attorney General and is recognized as one of the nation's leading constitutional lawyers fighting for people's liberties.
"I took an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States. That means also defending the principles, the ideals and the realities on which that Constitution is founded. And the witness of the Bible is absolutely foundational to all of that," Sen. Hawley said.
The D. James Kennedy Center for Christian Statesmanship, a Capitol Hill-based project of the Florida-based Coral Ridge Ministries, has annually spotlighted Christian leaders serving the nation since 1996.
"The future of our nation depends on the character and integrity of our leaders," said Dr. Rob Pacienza, CEO and President of Coral Ridge Ministries. "We established this award to promote faith, virtue, and excellence in public service."
Sen. Hawley follows in the footsteps of John Ashcroft, who also served as an Attorney General and Senator for Missouri and was the first recipient of the Distinguished Christian Statesman Award in 1996. Other notable personalities to receive the award include Governor Mike Huckabee, Sen. Tim Scott, and Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.
"Hawley is a wonderful representation of what a Christian statesman should be," Center for Christian Statesmanship Executive Director William Russell said. "He has his priorities in line: his faith, his family and his work. That shows through the work that he's doing right now on Capitol Hill. But he also is resolute in his beliefs."
About Center for Christian Statesmanship:
Established in 1995, the D. James Kennedy Center for Christian Statesmanship is a spiritually-based outreach to men and women in positions of influence and authority in our nation's government. Our mission is to support, equip, and empower Christian statesmanship and cast vision for the next generation of Christian leaders in the halls of government.